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Youth sling hash with local chefs

Kendra Milligan, SilverCity
Published 11:46 a.m. MT July 1, 2015

Diane Barrett demonstrates caramelizing to gathered youth. Barrett is co-owner of DianeþÄôs Restaurant and Bakery. She shared her recipe with local youth during 101 Things For Youth To Do In Grant County, which is offering free cooking demonstrations to youth every Thursday this summer at The Volunteer Center. From left to right: Diane Barrett, Sinea Runnels, Zachery Diaz (in hat behind), Emily Zollinger, and Xolymar Franco.(Photo: )

SILVER CITY >> The Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is giving local youth a chance to sling hash with professionals this summer.

Every Thursday a local chef will share a recipe for free with participants at 10:30 a.m. in The Volunteer Center's Nuevos Comienzos Kitchen at 501 E. 13th St.

The time-honored tradition of hash slinging, more mundanely known as cooking, is a new activity to this year's list of "101 Things For Youth To Do In Grant County."

The summer challenge requires youth to complete 20 activities, and at least 10 activities must be at local establishments, to be eligible for weekly prize drawings. Entry cards are available during the cooking demonstrations and at all public libraries in the Grant County.

The YSAPC is composed of 25 service providers and invested community members dedicated to creating an environment that cultivates healthy, productive lifestyles through policy and advocacy change that promotes resilient and empowered youth.

The activity was added because youth who cook with their parents are less likely to abuse drugs, according to a study by the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

"This is the first recipe I cooked for myself," Barrett said. "It's a great base sauce you can use to create several dishes like stuffed zucchini or lasagna."

The crowd of youth learned the secret techniques to create Barrett's famous spaghetti sauce.

"The key is to take time for the food to gather its flavor, and caramelizing is the secret to a good sauce," added Barrett as she served up the spaghetti, cheesy garlic bread and a garden salad.

"You can taste the individual flavors," said Sinea Runnels, who attended to complete the activity from the list of "101 Things For Youth To Do In Grant County," a program that offers free activities for youth at over 60 local establishments throughout the summer. The cooking demonstration is activity Number 11 "become a hash slinger on Thursdays."

Barrett also taught cutting techniques, including safety tips like how to keep mushrooms from rolling around on the cutting board.

Hint: Nip one side of the mushroom's top so it can lay flat on the cutting board.

Barrett also praised the equipment at the Nuevos Cominenzos' community commercial kitchen.